Some people find peace and comfort in hiking, jogging, and swimming. Then there are adrenaline junkies who need thrill for breakfast and danger for lunch. If you’re one of those people always looking for that adrenaline rush, you’ll be thrilled (no pun intended) to know that many daring activities are awaiting you.
Are you ready for rafting, scuba diving, and caving? Or do you need something like skydiving and bungee jumping to make your heart rate skyrocket? Check out this list of top activities and sports for daredevils and choose your next favorite form of recreation!
Skydiving
Flying through the sky like a bird of prey is many people’s dream. But not many have the guts to put on a parachute and throw themselves out of a plane thousands of feet above the ground.
On average, a skydiver in a standard, horizontal position reaches around 120 miles per hour while plummeting toward the rock-solid surface below. Needless to say, this exhilarating experience is not for the faint-hearted.
Bungee Jumping
Do you consider yourself a daredevil? Don’t. At least not until you’ve tried one of the craziest activities humans have ever invented for the sake of fun.
Bungee jumping involves jumping from a high point, usually one with a scenic view, after getting strapped in a secure harness hooked to a highly stretchable bungee cord.
The original bungee jumpers were the natives of Pentecost Island who would jump off wooden towers while tied to tree vines as part of their manhood ritual.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving can be relaxing, fun, and casual. It can also be thrilling, adventurous, and downright dreadful depending on your destination.
If you’re after adrenaline diving, you should try swimming with sharks and cage diving, a variation in which you’re placed in a metal cage before being dipped into shark-occupied waters. If water feels like home, you could also take this extreme hobby a step further by exploring underwater caves.
Rafting
Whitewater rafting has existed for at least 200 years and is now well spread across the globe with thousands of destinations to choose from.
This heart-pounding activity requires teamwork, experience, and determination to successfully navigate your boat over the rapids and reach the endpoint. It is recommended for those looking to share the joys of thrill with comrades.
Rock Climbing
The adrenaline rush is no stranger to those who challenge themselves both physically and mentally through rock climbing. Ascending seemingly impassable formations will bring you closer to nature and give you a sense of achievement by the time you’re done.
Safety gear and experience are a must, so be prepared to invest some money and time if you want to get serious.
Surfing
Polynesian cave paintings dating back to the 12th century show people riding on waves and prove that this popular sport has been enjoyed for centuries.
Known as one of the most challenging water sports, surfing takes a lot of practice and guidance but comes with great rewards. Travel to different surfing capitals around the globe and meet towering waves head-on with your new best friend – the board!
Caving
There are many reasons why caving can be considered a thrilling activity. When you’re dozens of feet underground with no natural source of light, things can quickly go wrong. One unfortunate slip and you could find yourself in serious trouble.
Dangers aside, caving is a fun sport you can enjoy with your buddies. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid descending into the depths of the earth alone. If you do, make sure you share your location and expected call-out times with people you would trust with your life.
Downhill Skiing
If there’s one good reason to love winters and the cold they bring it’s downhill skiing. This staple winter sport is suitable for children and adults, for those with company, and for those who prefer to be left alone.
And if you think regular tracks are not thrilling enough, you could always upgrade the activity by going speed skiing – a variation that sees skiers descend steep hills in a straight line to reach speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour. Kite skiing and heli-skiing are two other daring options to choose from.
Snowboarding
Like skiing, snowboarding offers loads of fun to those interested in winter sports. Once things start getting boring, take on a steeper slope or a harder track. You can also test your skills by going snowkiting or trying out advanced techniques like flips.
Did you know that the prototype for snowboards was invented by a father and engineer Sherman Poppen in 1965? As the story goes, he wanted to make a fun winter toy for his daughters by fixing two skis together and attaching a rope he used to control the speed.
Paragliding
The early versions of paragliding can be traced back to the 1950s when French inventor Pierre Lemoigne first tow-launched his parachute canopies. Since then, countries around the world have adopted the activity that is loved by millions of thrill-seekers.
If you get tired of sitting in a harness suspended under the parafoil, you can upgrade this activity to hang gliding or even acro-paragliding, the acrobatic version that involves dangerous maneuvers high up in the air.
Mountain Biking
Are biking and hiking not appealing enough to you? Why not merge them into a single blood-pumping sport? Take on rugged terrains like woodland paths and mountain trails and navigate a specialized bicycle around the obstacles nature throws at you.
Mountain biking has been steadily gaining popularity with designated trails popping up all around us. And if you’re worried about not being able to afford a bike, you can first try and see if this sport is for you by renting a mountain bike for a day.
Roller Coasters
Ever heard people screaming their lungs out while dangling off a rollercoaster high above the ground? You could be one of them!
Almost nothing will make your blood run through your veins faster than a ride on a fast and scary mechanical beast. While other activities on the list typically take place in nature, this one is quite the opposite. Loud music, rollercoasters, unlimited supply of cotton candy? Sign me up!
Storm Chasing
Imagine being brave (I mean crazy) enough to chase storms rather than run away from them. Apparently, storm chasing is a real hobby that’s gaining popularity rapidly.
A real thrill-seeker could find themselves in pursuit of a superstorm or even a tornado. Witness the epic power of nature first-hand and take unforgettable photos in the process. A piece of advice? Have a backup plan and don’t push your luck.